The Grado SR60i, compared to the SR60

After longer exposure of the SR60, and after testing other cans, people started to point out the weaknesses in the SR60. For example, the superbly detailed treble can sound too sharp and harsh. For short term excitement it’s very good, but in the long term, people gets tired from hearing the overly sharp treble. The problem becomes worse in some recordings where the treble is boosted on the mixing desk. Another problem with the SR60 is what many complain as a thin sound and a lack of Bass. True, the SR60 has bass and it can make quite an impactful bass, if present in the recording. However, overall the sound does seem thin and lacking body, because the SR60’s frequency response is heavily tilted to the high frequencies. And finally, people always complain about the congested soundstage of the SR60.

So, though the SR60 gives you a lot of musical enjoyment, it does have its flaws, and people are always asking more.

The first moment that I put on the SR60i, I notice that the sound is still very much the signature SR60 sound with its forward mids. However, I also realize that it has grown quite a significant amount of bass. This is a good thing. The once thin SR60 now is a lot more neutral and doesn’t sound thin anymore. The improvement in the low frequencies also gives the SR60i a more full-bodied sound than the predecessor. While the SR60 was great for Rock tracks with vocals mostly in the high frequencies, it didn’t do well in playing heavier vocals in Jazz and Audiophile recordings. The new SR60i, however, does much better for playing Jazz and Audiophile vocals, and stuff like Pavarotti now has more weight and a more authoritative voice through the SR60i. Very nice.

The bass, although less precise than the original SR60, makes the SR60i a lot more musical. And I would trade off the precision in the Bass anytime of the week, compared to the thinner but more precise SR60 bass. I don’t consider myself a basshead, but the original SR60 does need a little boost, and the SR60i is just a more balanced and more satisfying headphone overall.

It seems that Grado has really listened to their consumer, and improved on everything that needs to be improved on the SR60. If people used to complain about the harsh treble on the SR60, on the SR60i the treble is more refined and less harsh to the ears, while still offering the same detailed sound. Very nice, Grado!

The bass is improved, the treble is improved, and lastly the soundstage is improved as well. The improvement is quite small, however, and overall the SR60i’s soundstage is still small compared to other full-size cans. The soundstage improvement should be taken as a bonus in addition to the other improvements, and not a factor for deciding a purchase.

Overall the SR60i is a much better phone, and though I still prefer the original SR60’s styling, sound-wise the SR60i is definitely superior. The biggest decision making factor for me is the boost in the low frequencies. You have a better balanced, more full bodied sound SR60 in the “i” version. Although the original SR60’s bass is more precise, the overall sound is much more better in the “i” version.

So, does this improvements open other genres to be played on the SR60? Sadly, no. Its main strength is still in Rock and Pop music. It is quite decent for Jazz, and some R&B, though there are other options. For serious instrumental and classical music, however, the SR60i still lacks the technical capability. But again, most Grados, even the RS1, is not designed for those.

GOOD: Overall, the SR60i is much better than the SR60. Fuller body, more present bass, more balanced sound. Smoother and less piercing highs while offering the same detail. Slightly improved soundstage.

NO GOOD: Compared to the SR60? Almost none. But its bass does seem to be slightly less controlled.

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how do you found about the capability of SR60i to handle complex passage compared to SR60? Let’s say on the 4th movement of Beethoven 9th Symphony… on which SR60 sounded congested

Mike

Well, both the SR60 and the SR60i is still not the cans for classical music, as I said in the review: “For serious instrumental and classical music, however, the SR60i still lacks the technical capability. ”

Anyway what cans under $100 have the technical capability to handle Beethoven’s 9th?

dw1narso

“Anyway what cans under $100 have the technical capability to handle Beethoven’s 9th?”

not cans… but Crossroad Mylar One X3 beats SR60 (not i) on the midrange detail and complex passage handling…

for the cans… maybe a used HD25-1 can fall down below $100, and I’m sure it can handle Beethoven’s 9th better than SR60…

shazam

well i know that you will probably laugh , but through my hd555, Beethoven’s 9th sounds good enough to my ears. i have avoided till now the whole high end thing, though i am not sure i will resist an upgrade for long.

i agree about the grado sr60i being a more bassy headphone’ with the things i had heard about the lack of bass on sr60 i expected things to be different, but i thoroughly enjoy my bassier albums through the sr60i’s

nice site by the way, i keep an eye on your posts

SJC

This is a good comparison.

I’d like to add that a Vintage SR60 with pink drivers and black magnet sound much better than both. Sounds extremely refined, with a pleasant midrange and enough high sparkle without being harsh.

Anonymous

Sweet. Would love to hear it one day.

Jourdan-Reiss Russell

Are the AKG K518s better than these?

Anonymous

Different sound signature.

The K518 has stronger punchier bass. These Grados has a more open sound,
livelier treble, more suitable for slow rock, blues, acoustic stuff.

I’m actually not able to really pass £100 due to monetary constraints, and i wanted some portability, so i looked at your recent Marshall review. Would they be a good alternative or are there better portables priced at 100 or less?

Anonymous

Do you need it to be a closed design (noise isolation), or is open
design fine? What music do you listen to?

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

I don’t think the SR60 would be good with Jpop and Symphonic Metal and the like.
Symphonic and power metal… maybe someone else can help? I don’t really listen to metal.

Kevinjit

How bout comparing sr60i and alessandro ms1i? i listn to jazz and rock btw, also metal like opeth.

http://www.headfonia.com Mike

SR60i is still more forward, the MS1i is more neutral and is the better all rounder.

http://Twitter.com/mlmabie light&shadow

I would like to request a review for a recently-released update: the Grado SR-80e

http://www.headfonia.com/ L.

I think we’re doing one or two of the new E series but not all. Dave know which one’s he got 😉

Dave Ulrich

Well, wouldn’t you know, that’s the one I got! Although it might be a bit as the WA7 is coming first